Ten Seconds

Ben Harper #3

by Robert Gold

After a tense birthday celebration in Haddley, journalist Ben Harper watches his boss, Madeline, get into the car that has come to collect her. He walks home, never imagining that by the next morning, Madeline will be missing.

To find Madeline, Ben will have to return to the now infamous murder case that made her journalism career over a decade ago. A case which, Ben quickly discovers, was never as simple as it seemed.

But time is of the essence, and soon it's not just Madeline's life on the line . . .

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Fiction

432 pages, Paperback

Published December 5, 2024

About the author

Originally from Harrogate in North Yorkshire, Robert Gold began his career as an intern at the American broadcaster CNN, based in Washington DC. He returned to Yorkshire to work for the retailer ASDA, becoming the chain’s nationwide book buyer. He now works in sales for a UK publishing company. Robert now lives in Putney and his new hometown served as the inspiration for the fictional town of Haddley in Twelve Secrets. In 2016, he co-authored three titles in James Patterson’s Bookshots series.

Reviews

[james · Rating 2 out of 5]

ten seconds is also about the length of overall attention i’ve given this.

couldn’t tell you a single thing about it. the narrator had a nice voice though. so that’s where i’m at mentally.

[Karen Chong · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 / 5

Maybe it’s the first book back from holiday but I felt this was not as good as the other two books. For me the plot felt very convoluted, at points hard to follow and I struggled to retain all the information. I think I wasn’t prepared for how much change occurred after the second book (or whether I just forgot most of it), I struggled to understand the plot at sometimes. It felt too jumpy, out of place and every chapter broke the cohesiveness of the book more. Maybe it’s the plot and Gold’s aim to have everything link together magically but I think it hindered the quality. I know I’m most likely the odd one out but I didn’t enjoy this as much. I think I’m also not a fan of the changing names, and the fact that at the start of each part there’s a different perspective shown which doesn’t make any sense until the end where things magically tie together. If you were to ask me about this plot in a couple weeks time chances are I’ll probably forget because there’s nothing standout.

This book again follows Ben harper who’s out with his boss Madeline Wilson and her dad Sam. They have abit of a fuss with the people in the restaurant of which Madeline knows the owner East Mailer. Easy asks Madeline for a private convo after her dinner. And after her tense conversation Madeline is abducted from her car. This is an issue since the next day Madeline and Ben are schedule to meet with the Commissioner only to not show up. Long story short Madeline past catches up to her and Ben is involved in solving what happened.

Overall, it’s not a horrid read but it’s a confusing one. It takes time for the information and plot to form but personally it felt like the information and plot didn’t really gel and help with the understanding. It only made it more confusing. Given how I’ve enjoyed the last two books, this third one is definitely disappointing - the quality is not up there. We shall see in the next book how it goes and the direction Ben goes in.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of the Ben Harper series, but I have to admit that I initially struggled quite a bit with this third book. It felt somewhat slow to me and as if very little was happening. Obviously, the reader knows these characters by now and it seems only normal to get an insight into their lives. While much of what was done and said in the early chapters seemed irrelevant to me, it turned out it was anything but. But for me, things really didn't pick up the until moment Ben realised Madeline had gone missing.

Who would take Madeline and why? The answers are somewhere in the past, with an infamous murder case Madeline reported on, which made her career. A case that ends up being far more complicated than it at first seems, involving characters you may not expect it from, and one that will ultimately have devastating consequences.

I would say the first couple of chapters are a build up to things that are about to come. Will and his husband are struggling, especially after Nathan's introduction to the family. Nathan, too, is having issues stemming from his origins, and also his love life. Ben and Dani just can't seem to find the time to spend together and work out where their future lies. There are niggling doubts about those in command in the police force. Something Dani wants to tread carefully about, which is hard with Ben being a journalist. There's a dash of romance for one of the characters. The community is on high alert as an intruder keeps entering houses of women when they're home alone at night. And somehow, so many of these seemingly unremarkable (bar the intruder, which obviously is a remarkable event)) events, are connected in ways I never saw coming.

Along the way, I discovered my new favourite sleuthing due in the form of Ben and Madeline's dad, Sam. They set out on their own investigation into Madeline's disappearance. Being a journalist isn't that much different from being a detective, I suppose. And these two are pretty good at snooping around and digging for clues. But are they putting Madeline in more danger? Or even themselves?

Throughout, there is an unknown character sharing their life's story. It's quite a sad tale that emerges from the pages. In a clever sort of way, it feels as if the author is leaving it up to you, the reader, to determine if this character's past in any way excuses their actions. It definitely made me think, especially after reading the final chapter.

Despite my wobble at the beginning of the book, I ended up really enjoying 'Ten Seconds'. I had a bit of an inkling as to who was responsible for certain things, but this is such a sticky web of secrets and manipulation that it was near impossible to unravel completely. 'Ten Seconds' is a gripping, tense read with a clever plot, and ultimately a great addition to the series. Even if I found the ending a tad upsetting. I'm very much looking forward to seeing how the characters deal with the aftermath.

[Chiara LibriamociBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Negli ultimi tre anni il comune denominatore delle mie estati è Robert Gold. L’autore inglese è stato una scoperta inaspettata che ha saputo, attraverso le cronache del giornalista Ben Harper, intrattenere la mia fame di letture con thriller ben costruiti, coinvolgenti e imprevedibili.

Tutte le storie create da Robert Gold ruotano attorno alla piccola comunità di Haddley, piccolo sobborgo londinese, dove Ben Harper si occupa di cronaca e, suo malgrado, di incastrare colpevoli e criminali aprendo vecchi e polverosi vasi di Pandora.
In “Dieci secondi” Ben dovrà scoprire quali dinamiche si celano dietro al rapimento del suo capo Madeline e all’aggressione di giovani donne nelle proprie abitazioni.
Affiancato dall’agente investigativo Dani Cash, con cui ha una relazione, in questo romanzo tutto arriverà ancora dal passato scontrandosi dolorosamente con il presente e con un salato conto da pagare.

Apprezzo molti i romanzi di Robert Gold perché i luoghi rtornano sempre, ridonando vita a ogni capitolo alle strade e ai luoghi che ormai visualizziamo e abbiamo imparato a conoscere del sobborgo di Haddley.
In “Dieci secondi” l’autore riesce a tenere sempre alto il grado di coinvolgimento e a creare una storia dal ritmo sempre elevato.
Lo stile narrativo è una certezza, i personaggi sono ormai una garanzia, la trama invece, a mio avviso, è leggermente sottotono rispetto alle due precedenti anche se il livello rimane sempre altissimo.

Mi sento ancora sempre e comunque di consigliare questo autore a chi ama i romanzi turn page dove i personaggi e il passato sono il cuore palpitante delle pagine.

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

A first time read from this author and I wasn't initial aware that this was the third book in the series.
Obviously jumping in there were some references to what I gather happened in previous titles,
With a complex plot and lots of characters, it was a little confusing at times.

The structure also included ten sections, so Gold does love his numbers.
On the strength of this he will easily complete the countdown on this series.

This fast paced thriller again follows newspaper reporter Ben Harper as he looks into the disappearance of his boss Madeline.

It's fast paced and gripping, with plenty of twists and turns and plenty of suspects.
I liked the characters, though would have connected with them more if I started the series from the beginning.

[Kirstie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third in a series by this author with Ben Harper an investigative journalist. Also featuring Dani, Miranda, East, Sarah etc etc who all show up in the previous books
It definitely helps to have read the previous. I felt lost at times with the many many characters. Throughout the book the author uses full names because just the first name wouldn’t be enough To keep on track of them all
It’s a good story with two crimes overlapping

[The reading corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ho letto e apprezzato tutti e tre i libri di Robert Gold e posso affermare senza ombra di dubbio che questo è quello che mi è piaciuto di più. Penso che l’autore abbia davvero talento e uno stile di scrittura semplice, realistico e scorrevole e che meriterebbe più credito di quello che ricevono altri colleghi più famosi (Joel Dickers in primis). Le trame dei romanzi di Gold sono semplici e facili da seguire, non ci sono inutili scene di violenze, ogni personaggio è ben descritto e ha un ruolo preciso nella vicenda, non è messo lì x confondere il lettore o x allungare il brodo con inutili dettagli che allungano la vicenda. Anche se avevo intuito chi fosse il colpevole (ultimamente succede spesso, devo preoccuparmi?), il finale mi ha convinto e la sotto trama presente nella vicenda fa presupporre che ci saranno altri romanzi con protagonista Ben Harper, che ovviamente leggerò volentieri.

[Josephine Jarman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This us the 3rd novel in series. The characters are just as well loved and written drip feeding a narrative. As always there are multiple stories different timelines which come together at the end. I did enjoy this and it is possible to read this as a standalone but you miss out on the brill series.
The main issue for me is the story was a slow burn too drawnout the pacing seemed off and this didn't have action throughout I was still invested in the story but it felt there was a lot of background and character stuff and the sction was very little and rhe finsl reveal seemed too quick.
I would recommended this as its a great mystery. I look forward to the next one.
Thank uou netgallery and publisher and author for this 4 star read

[Debbi Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the pace that this author's books go at.

[Tracy Fenton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the Ben Harper series, and if you haven’t read the first two (Twelve Secrets and Eleven Liars), then STOP reading this and go and download the entire series as you really do need to read them in order.

So, if you have read the first two books we can safely discuss Ten Seconds without the fear of spoiling the plotline for anyone.

This story starts shortly after Eleven Liars finishes and once again Ben Harper finds himself involved in a dangerous situation when his boss and close friend Madeline is abducted after a birthday celebration dinner.

Ben, together with Madeline’s father Sam and police detective Dani Cash are determined to rescue her regardless of their own personal safety and despite the dangers they encounter.

As well as being a fast paced suspense thriller this series really concentrates on the characters, and slowly the author reveals more about each individual’s back stories.

Fans of this series will be delighted to see how Ben and Dani’s relationship is evolving and finding out more about Madeline and how she got her big break years ago to become the powerhouse journalist she is today,

Ten Seconds is yet another great book in this series and is full of secrets, intrigue and mystery.

[Beccabeccabooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten Seconds is the third book in the journalist Ben Harper series. It's also my favourite thus far.

Before I jump into my review, I must stress this. If you are reading this without finishing the first two instalments, STOP NOW. This series is meant to be read in order. Otherwise, you won't get the full effect.

Now. To my thoughts.

Ten Seconds was exciting. There's no other word. By now, the mainstay characters are familiar, and you want the best for them. Unlikely here. Ben's boss, Madeline, has been abducted. Fourteen years ago, she brought about the conviction of a homophobic attack. Now that the killer, Billy Munroe, has been released, it's assumed that he's behind this revenge act.

Enter Ben, who was amongst the few to see Madeline in the last moments before the attack. Ever the journalist, the answer no is never acceptable, nor is any reason to give up. So, teaming up with Madeline's parents, they go sleuthing. Even though Ben and Sam have extraordinary investigation skills, they aren't police, which in turn causes them to make some pretty dumb decisions. Needless to say, the real police aren't exactly happy, including Ben's girlfriend, DC Dani Cash.

Whilst Madeline is goodness knows where, barely surviving, there's the matter of a spate of break-ins around Haddley. Are the two cases connected? It's a big YES. How, well, you'll need to read to find out.

As always, the short chapters made this go very fast. The throwbacks also were a great insight into the mind of a madman.

I'm looking forward to the next book!

4.75 🌟

[Adam M · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ such a good book + the ending was so clever! i hope this series continues :)

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, had me hooked like his other two did. Lots of twists and turns. Good characters both old and new. Would recommend this

[Nicoletta Micillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+
Una nuova storia di Ben Harper ricca di colpi di scena che ha radici nel passato

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I really enjoyed this book, revisiting Ben, Dani and Madeline and the fictional area of St Marnham. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I was sorry to read of the author being poorly but hope that his writing will help him to get better soon.

[Davide · Rating 3 out of 5]

Madeline, il capo di Ben Harper, sembra sparita nel nulla fino a quando il padre di lei riceve un messaggio con scritto “Abbiamo tua figlia”.
Perché l’hanno rapita? Ma sopratutto chi l’ha rapita?
Dieci secondi di Robert Gold ci riporta vicino a Londra, nella piccola comunità di Haddley, con personaggi che abbiamo già imparato a conoscere e ad apprezzare nei primi due capitoli di questa serie.
Ho trovato lo stile più fluido rispetto ai precedenti e ciò ha facilitato anche la mia esperienza di lettura.
La trama però l’ho trovata leggermente meno graffiante e travolgente de Gli undici inganni che, a mio parere, rimanere il migliore di quelli pubblicati.
Se dovessi fare una classifica in base a come mi sono appassionato alla storia metterei al primo posto Gli undici inganni, al secondo Dieci secondi e al terzo I dodici segreti.
Un buon libro investigativo che a chi ha apprezzato i primi due della serie non potrà sfuggire, inseguendo il pericoloso countdown del titolo. Per chi vuole testare questa serie invece il consiglio è di iniziare da I dodici segreti perché tutto potrebbe essere collegato: chi lo sa?

Puoi trovare questa e altre recensioni sul mio profilo Instagram “I libri di Dede” www.instagram.com/ilibrididede o sul mio blog/sito www.ilibrididede.it 📚
Se non vuoi perderti neanche una recensione c’è anche il canale telegram: https://t.me/ilibrididede

Mi è stata inviata una copia gratuita di questo libro da parte della casa editrice che ringrazio.

[Lila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fast-paced thriller with Ben Harper investigating the nefarious deeds and secrets of Haddley, but this time racing against the clock to save a dear friend.

We met the ruthless and formidable Ben's boss, Madeline, all the way in Twelve Secrets and this book will give us some insight into the investigation that made her a legend: she made her name calling on the police to arrest Billy Monroe for the murder of young architect which resulted in his conviction. Twelve years later, after an evening celebrating Sam's birthday, Madeline is kidnapped and desperate Sam turns to Ben to help him find his daughter.

Despite the name of the series suggesting that we are following the adventures of Ben, the way Robert Gold is telling the story is making it more about small town of Haddley and community through the prism of crimes Ben is investigating. Beside his chapters written in first person, we are often getting chapters from the point of view of other characters who are somewhat peripherally connected to the mystery at the center of the plot and not always integral to solving it. Gold is following the same formula in this one and, in my opinion, he's done it better and better with each book.
Beside the chapters of Ben and Sam (hilariously) investigating what happened to Madeline, we are getting glimpses of chef East Malier and his husband Will Andrews who we met all the way in the first book. We see where is Sarah and her adorable son and what happened to her and Nathan. Detective Constable Dani Cash is back both in official capacity, but also as Ben's partner who is still in a marriage. Her superior Lesley Barnsdale gets her own chunk of the story with a perfect man or the worst mistake in her life dilemma. And all that is interconnected with chapters from Billy's childhood.
It sounds all utterly disconnected, but Gold actually managed to tie it all by the end in a clever way and it's honestly what made it the best book of the three currently released. I always thought some of the things and characters mentioned were left unresolved from the first novel (especially East and Will) who seemed to me to only there to serve as red herrings, but Gold finally tackled the pair and gave us some background story and perhaps gave answers to anything regarding these two. The same is with Madeline whose character has been given some depth.
The best part of the story is the addition of Sam who is actually a terrific investigating partner to Ben. We need this to become a standard, mr Gold.

All in all, if you liked the previous books in the series, you will not be disappointed. If you never read Robert Gold before, this one is a fast-paced thriller, full of twists, a perfect weekend read.

I would like to thank Netgalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK Sphere and Robert Gold for an advanced copy of Ten Seconds. All opinions are my own.

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and author Robert Gold for the advanced reader copy of this book. This review will also be posted on NetGalley. What follows is my unbiased review of the book.

This is the third in a series centered around the character of Ben Harper. Ben is a journalist in Haddley, a neighborhood in London, who is now working for an online site. His boss and close friend, Madeline Wilson, invited Ben and Madeline’s father, Sam, to celebrate her birthday at a favorite restaurant. Ben sees Madeline leave the restaurant and get into her car, and that’s the last he sees of her.

There’s a lot going on in Ten Seconds. Although the focus is on Madeline’s disappearance, there are other stories at play that are linked back to the two previous books. Robert Gold does a decent job recounting some events, but the problem is that some of the tangents seem unnecessary. They are conclusions of other stories that have no real bearing on events here, and there is plenty going on without it. If you’ve read the other books and want to keep up with the characters and stories, I can understand. Coming from a place of not having read those books, it’s just a distraction.

Being a publisher, Madeline has made enemies. Ben receives a message demanding two million pounds, and no police involvement, which puts him in an awkward position. Ben and Sam soon link her disappearance and the mysterious message to a murder twelve years earlier, which Madeline used her power as a journalist to push the police to solve. Ben’s sort of girlfriend is Dani Cash, an investigator with the Haddley Police Department. He and Sam investigate on their own, while Dani and the rest of the Haddley Police chase after a burglar who has been targeting women alone in their homes, along with several other crimes.

To read my full review please go to Ten Seconds by Robert Gold – Gripping Mystery in Haddley

[Deborah (debbishdotcom) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I should clarify this is only the third in the series (rather than the tenth). Just to confuse readers Gold started with Twelve Secrets, before moving onto Eleven Liars. Kinda like the Twelve Days of Christmas. 'Cept backwards. Either way I'm really enjoying this series featuring online news investigative journalist Ben Harper.

This book opens with a bang as Ben's boss Madeline gets kidnapped while leaving her father's birthday dinner.

Ben is able to trace who's responsible for her kidnapping fairly quickly as it's a murderer Madeline helped put behind bars thirteen years earlier. He's recently been released from jail, but before they can track him down or find Madeline his body turns up, bringing cop (and Ben's love interest) Dani Cash into the mix.

I'm assuming Gold has a story arc in his head that will span twelve books in this series and I like Ben, Dani, Sam and Madeline so keen to see where he takes them next.

Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...

[Candi J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I literally couldn’t put this book down and cursed every time I had too.

This was a new to me author and I enjoyed this book thoroughly.

It caught my attention from the beginning. I wanted to know everything. All the details. Why? Who? How?

The writing was great and the plots were all connected. At times I felt that there were too many cases going on at once and that I tried hard to figure out how all the victims of the various crimes fit together, but as you read on, you find that all of these are connected.

The more I read, the faster I turned the pages. It was really good.

Lots of clues gave us a predictable villain, but then you get a plot twist at the end that gets you saying "OMG I didn’t see that coming” and you try to think if there was a clue in the beginning.

Because this is my first book from this author and the third book in the series, I’m looking forward to reading the first two books so see how the relationships have formed over the three books and definitely interested in future works.

Ben Harper and his team got 4,25 🦋

[andshe.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in a 1st and 3rd person narrative, Robert Gold brings us another sensational thriller. After his first two books, I didn't think they would get any better, but I was wrong.

The twists, turns, and mystery throughout the book kept me guessing until the very end.

I enjoyed being reunited with the characters and seeing how their lives progress. Ben is so rogue. He might be a journalist, but he's an undercover cop in the making for sure.

A 5 star read for me, and I already can't wait to see what's in store for the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again the book started off well as they do with the Ben Harper series but they just never seem to go anywhere in the last half an hour

It wasnt very interesting in the end and the plot seemed a bit thin on this one and the resolution was a bit boring and wasn’t really a mystery.

Disappointing as I really want to re jog this series but the plot for the next one needs to be more interesting and the end needs to have more impact as they come in like a lion and go out like a lamb

[Nat Eveleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Ben Harper is back in the 3rd instalment in this series. Ben is ready to hunt down who has kidnapped his friend and boss, Madeleine. And solving crime along the way.

This is another great instalment from this author. I really love the characters, they’re all so well written, and I really hope we get to see more of Madeleines Mum, Annabel, as she seems brilliant.the storyline was gritty, with twists and turns along the way. A great read as per usual!!

[Heather Paulsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have such mixed feelings about this story. I think it is the best of the series, but the story moves so slow I have a hard time staying engaged with it. The characters are great, the plot is interesting, but the pacing is so slow for me. When there is action/suspense that part moves quickly, but the rest does not. Don't let me dissuade you from reading this book if the blurb sounds interesting to you. This just isn't one for me. It happens.

[Natalie Gillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not normally a big fan of crime fiction but this was a good story. I havent read the other books in the series and could follow the characters just fine. I also liked the short chapters which made it easy to keep reading. I did find it a little convoluted at times but it all came together at the end.

[Cath Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third of the series I’ve read and it took a little bit more of getting into at the start than the others. Nevertheless once it got going another great piece of writing. Love the short chapters, the twists and the turns, the game of discovery and it still provided a little shock at the end. I’m ready to read the next one now.

[Jessica Wilczynski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Journalist Ben Harper is out with his boss and friend Madeline to celebrate her father’s birthday. When her driver arrives to pick her up she realizes that it is not her driver and she is taken. The next day her father goes to Ben to tell him he has received a ransom demand from her abductors. Ben finds out that a man she helped put away years ago was released from prison a few weeks ago so Ben and her father team up to find her.

This is the third book in this series and I enjoyed the story and plot. Some parts were a little slow but overall a good read!

[Caroline Croezen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a page turner, a cracking book, I love this series!

[Charlotte Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book but found it a-bit chaotic with which chapter was going to relate to what character.

I had to really concentrate with reading it and had to reread several pages to understand.

[George Dollin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine